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Challenges in Science Education

Uncovering High School Students’ Initial Understanding and Beliefs about the Nature of Science Prior to Studying Variable Stars Presented at the AAVSO Spring Meeting Rockford, Illinois May 5 th , 2006 Pebble Richwine, James Bedient, and Dr. Timothy F. Slater. Challenges in Science Education.

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Challenges in Science Education

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  1. Uncovering High School Students’ Initial Understanding and Beliefs about the Nature of Science Prior to Studying Variable StarsPresented at the AAVSO Spring MeetingRockford, IllinoisMay 5th, 2006Pebble Richwine, James Bedient, and Dr. Timothy F. Slater

  2. Challenges in Science Education • STEM • NOS is under attack • Reform efforts • Can the AAVSO Help?

  3. Research Questions • What impact does participating in an authentic inquiry research experience have on students’ attitudes and beliefs towards the nature of science? • What impact does participating in an authentic inquiry research experience have on students’ understanding of variable stars? • It is hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in students’ attitudes and beliefs towards the Nature of Science due to participation in an authentic inquiry research experience. • It is hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in students’ understanding of variable stars after participating in an authentic inquiry research experience.

  4. Research Questions • What impact does participating in an authentic inquiry research experience have on students’ attitudes and beliefs towards the nature of science? • What impact does participating in an authentic inquiry research experience have on students’ understanding of variable stars? • It is hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in students’ attitudes and beliefs towards the Nature of Science due to participation in an authentic inquiry research experience. • It is hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in students’ understanding of variable stars after participating in an authentic inquiry research experience. Baseline Data

  5. Integrated Science • 81 Students in General Class • 91% Hispanic, Mexican, or Latino • 45% Female • 16-18 age range • 59 Students in Advanced Integrated Science • 93% Hispanic, Mexican, or Latino • 68% Female • 14-18 age range

  6. Methodology • Mixed Method Approach • Quantitative • Nature of Science Survey • Frequency/Thematic responses to open-ended survey • Qualitative • Open-ended survey responses • Semi-structured Interviews • Student Artifacts • Videotaped Classroom Activities

  7. Treatment In the Hunt for Variable Stars

  8. Astrometrica http://www.astrometrica.at/

  9. Fitsview http://www.nrao.edu/software/fitsview/

  10. School site license 129.00 teachers' price (with site license) 35.00 students' price (with site license) 20.00 Individual's price 89.00 Michael Newberry, PhD, President Mirametrics, Inc. mnewberry@mirametrics.com http://www.mirametrics.com/

  11. ACTIVITIES Fitsview Star Hopping Astrometrica Julian Dates Data Management Mira Software Graphing in Excel Using Internet Databases FTP Download FTP Stardial Submitting Data APPENDIX Image Key to Vizier Activity Making Observation (AAVSO) About Variable Stars (AAVSO) Julian Date (AAVSO) Variable Star Resources (AAVSO) Table of Variables Table of Comparison Stars Correlation to National Standards Correlation to Benchmarks In the Hunt For Variable Stars Manual

  12. ACTIVITIES Fitsview Star Hopping Astrometrica Julian Dates Data Management Mira Software Graphing in Excel Using Internet Databases FTP Download FTP Stardial Submitting Data APPENDIX Image Key to Vizier Activity Making Observation (AAVSO) About Variable Stars (AAVSO) Julian Date (AAVSO) Variable Star Resources (AAVSO) Table of Variables Table of Comparison Stars Correlation to National Standards Correlation to Benchmarks In the Hunt For Variable Stars Manual

  13. Results Quantitative

  14. Results Qualitative

  15. Inferences • Misconceptions and • presuppositions • NOS • Inquiry in the Classroom • Science Education Reform

  16. Where Do I Go From Here? • Written Comprehensive Exam Starts May 15th, 2006 • Case Study Closure: May 20th, 2006 • Summer 2006 Data Analysis • August 2006 Oral Comprehensive Exam • April 2006 Defense (hint: Pebble needs a job!) • Work with Kevin Lee

  17. Where Do I Go From Here? • Written Comprehensive Exam Starts May 15th, 2006 • Case Study Closure: May 20th, 2006 • Summer 2006 Data Analysis • August 2006 Oral Comprehensive Exam • April 2006 Defense (hint: Pebble needs a job!) • Work with Kevin Lee Pebble Needs A Job!

  18. Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project http://astro.unl.edu/naap/splash/

  19. Uncovering High School Students’ Initial Understanding and Beliefs about the Nature of Science Prior to Studying Variable Stars

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